US border security at the heart of connect:ID 2017
20 April 2017 15:26 GMT

Border security in the USA is about to undergo major change in the wake of President Trump’s election to office, with land, sea, and air borders set to be shaken up with a raft of new or revitalized policies.

From a new border wall with Mexico, to the full implementation of a biometric-led Entry/Exit vision at the nation’s airports, change is imminent, and presents the biometric industry with both challenges and opportunities.

In just under two weeks (May, 1-3), North America’s largest event covering human identity issues, connect:ID 2017, will take place in Washington DC, and new border policy will be given major prominence, alongside a practical assessment on the significant challenges ahead.

The conference will offer attendees exclusive access to senior representatives and officials tasked with implementing the new administration’s plans to beef up the nation’s borders, from biometric exit systems, to vetting, screening, and focused immigration policy.

The US Department of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will be at the heart of many of the anticipated changes, and is using advanced technology, such as biometrics, to confirm identity, further facilitate and secure travel, and meet the demands of increased travel to the United States.

connect:ID’s opening keynote address will be given by Kevin K. McAleenan, acting commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. McAleenan is set to explain how CBP is committed to revolutionize border security through the use of innovative technology. Specifics of how biometric exit capabilities could be developed will then be explained in a keynote by CBP’s John Wagner, Deputy Executive Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations.

Speakers from CBP, the Transportation Security Administration, and the airline and airport industries, will then take part in a ground-breaking debate to explore a positive vision of biometric exit, and highlight the roles that each stakeholder will play in realizing the vision.

New border policy is also under scrutiny at connect:ID. In a major keynote presentation, Congressman Michael T. McCaul, Chairman, House Committee on Homeland Security, will speak on crucial issues revolving around vetting, screening and border security, with a particular focus on the role of biometrics.

This will be followed by a critical Fireside Chat with Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52), where border security and immigration policy will be discussed from the important perspective of a member of Congress whose district includes the US southwest border.

Adding to connect:ID’s line-up will also be key Congressional staffers from the Senate Judiciary Committee and Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security, who will discuss the status of new policy proposals and the headwinds that these proposed changes are encountering.